| CPP Eligibility Factor: Unmarried, Teenaged Parents | |
| Clarification
of Eligibility Factor |
Either parent of the child
was less than eighteen years of age and unmarried at the time of the birth of the child. (22-28-106 (1) (a.5) (V) C.R.S.). |
| Significance of Factor in regards to School Readiness | Evidence suggests numerous
negative developmental consequences associated with teenage
pregnancy, for both teen parents and their children. These
consequences include reduced educational attainment, greater
financial hardship, and less stable marriage patterns for
the teen parent. At the child level, poorer health,
educational and behavioral outcomes have been noted. Children of teenage mothers are generally found to have lower IQ scores and more school adjustment problems. Research also highlights the social-emotional impact of teenage parenthood. Children born to teenage mothers often exhibit greater over activity, hostility, resistive behavior, and lack of impulse control. The role of support networks and other interpersonal resources, including but not limited to a spouse, is important as well. Family structure and access to other adults can mitigate the effects associated with teenage childbearing. |
| How It May Be Documented |
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Research References: Center for Social Law and Policy. (2007). Early head start and teen parent families: Partnerships for success. Retrieved July 31, 2009 from http://www.clasp.org/publications/ehs_teens.pdfFurstenberg, F. F. Jr., Levine, J. A., Brooks-Gunn, J. (1990). The children of teenage mothers: Patterns of early childbearing in two generations. Family Planning Perspectives, 22, 54-61.Baldwin, W. & Cain, V. S. (1980). The children of teenage parents. Guttmacher Insitute. Retrieved June 2, 2011 from http://www.jstor.org/pss/2134676 Thornberry, T.P., Smith, C.A., & Howard, G.T. (1997). Risk factors for teenage fatherhood. National Council on Family Relations. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from http://www.jstor.org/stable/353942 |
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Additional Resources for Families and Staff: Career Education for Teen Parents, http://www.ericdigests.org/1995-2/teen.htmHelping the Education System Work for Teen Parents and Their Children, http://www.capd.org/pubfiles/pub-1999-10-06.pdf |
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